JP2013082147A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time required to start image formation when an image designated by a user is formed, in any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 20A, when print data associated with an authenticated user are stored in the self-apparatus, a list indicating the print data is displayed on a touch screen of the image forming apparatus 20A. In contrast, in the image forming apparatus 20A, when the print data associated with the authenticated user are not stored in the self-apparatus, print data acquired from an image forming apparatus 20B that is set in index data associated with the user and stored in an index server 30 are displayed on the touch screen of the image forming apparatus 20A.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  A technique for enabling an image designated by a user to be formed by using any one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus has a web server function, and the user downloads designated image data from another image forming apparatus connected to the network to the image forming apparatus operated by the user. Thus, it is described that an image can be formed.

JP 2008-250972 A

  An object of the present invention is to shorten the time required for starting image formation when an image designated by a user is formed in any one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  An image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses that form an image, and each of the image forming apparatuses includes user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image. A storage unit that stores the associated information, a receiving unit that receives an input of the user identification information of any user, and image data that is associated with the user identification information that is received by the receiving unit are A first acquisition unit that acquires the image data from the storage unit, and the reception unit if the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit. Image data stored in the storage means associated with the user identification information received by the means and provided in another image forming apparatus different from the own apparatus. A second acquisition means for acquiring, characterized in that it comprises an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data acquired by the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including a management device having an identification information storage unit that stores device identification information for identifying each image forming device and the user identification information in association with each other. If the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition means, the acquisition means 2 is stored in the identification information storage means in association with the user identification information received by the reception means. The apparatus identification information is specified, and image data stored in association with the user identification information is acquired in the storage unit included in the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information.

  In the image forming system according to claim 3 of the present invention, when the second acquisition unit cannot acquire image data by the first acquisition unit, Requesting image data stored in association with user identification information received by the receiving means, and acquiring image data transmitted from an image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus in response to the request It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image in association with each other; and input of the user identification information of any user And when the image data associated with the user identification information received by the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit included in the own apparatus, the image data is stored in the storage unit. If the image data could not be acquired by the first acquisition means for acquiring the image and the first acquisition means, it is associated with the user identification information received by the reception means and is different from the own apparatus. A second acquisition unit that acquires image data stored in the storage unit included in another image forming apparatus; and the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit. Characterized in that it comprises an image forming means for forming an image according to a more acquired image data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for storing a computer in which user identification information for identifying a user is associated with image data representing an image, and the user identification information of any user. When receiving means for accepting input and image data associated with the user identification information accepted by the accepting means are stored in the storage means included in the own device, the image is transferred from the storage means. A first acquisition unit that acquires data; and if the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit, the user identification information associated with the user identification information received by the reception unit A second acquisition unit that acquires image data stored in the storage unit included in another different image forming apparatus; and The image data acquired by the second acquisition means, to function as output means for outputting to an image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data.

According to the image forming system of the first aspect, the user image data stored in the storage unit of the other image forming apparatus is not stored for the first time when the user image data is not stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus. Compared with the case where the configuration for acquiring is not provided, the time required to start the image formation is shortened.
According to the image forming system of the present invention, the management apparatus having the identification information storage unit that stores the apparatus identification information for identifying each image forming apparatus and the user identification information for identifying the user in association with each other. Compared to the case where the image forming apparatus is not provided, the labor required to specify the image forming apparatus storing the user image data in the storage unit is reduced.
According to the image forming system of the third aspect, when the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquiring unit, the image forming system is associated with the user identification information from the storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus other than the own apparatus. Compared to the case where the system does not have a configuration for acquiring stored image data, the number of devices other than the image forming device among the devices constituting the system can be reduced.
According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the user image data stored in the storage unit of the other image forming apparatus is not stored for the first time when the user image data is not stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus. Compared with the case where the configuration for acquiring is not provided, the time required to start the image formation is shortened.
According to the program of claim 5, the user image data stored in the storage unit of another image forming apparatus is acquired for the first time when the user image data is not stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus. Compared to the case without the configuration, the time required to start forming the image is shortened.

Block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system Block diagram showing hardware configuration of communication terminal Block diagram showing hardware configuration of image forming apparatus Diagram showing print data Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the index server Diagram showing index data Block diagram showing functional configuration of image forming system Sequence diagram showing operation of image forming system The figure showing an example of the list of the print data displayed on an image forming device The figure showing an example of the list of the print data displayed on an image forming device

<Embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 100 includes a communication terminal 10, image forming apparatuses 20A, 20B, and 20C, an index server 30, and a network NW. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the image forming apparatuses 20A, 20B, and 20C, the characters added to the end of the reference numerals are omitted and referred to as the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the number of image forming apparatuses 20 and communication terminals 10 is not limited to that shown in FIG. The network NW is a communication network including a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone network and a wireless local area network (LAN) and a fixed communication network such as the Internet.

  The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus 20 such as a mobile phone, a wireless terminal connectable to a wireless LAN, or a PC (Personal Computer) having a communication function. An example of a PC is given. The image forming apparatus 20 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a storage location for storing print data transmitted from the communication terminal 10. Here, the print data is data related to print processing instructed by the user using the communication terminal 10, and includes a user ID for identifying the user, image data to be printed, time information, and the like. Here, printing refers to forming an image by electrophotography. The index server 30 is a server device that stores information for identifying the image forming apparatus 20 designated by each user as a print data storage destination and a user ID in association with each other. The information for identifying the image forming apparatus 20, that is, the apparatus identification information is, for example, address information such as a name assigned to each image forming apparatus 20 or an IP (Internet Protocol) address.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication terminal 10. The communication terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a display unit 15. Each part is electrically connected by a bus. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU controls each unit connected to the control unit 11 by executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores a control program and a printer driver 121, for example. The printer driver 121 is a program having a function of controlling the image forming apparatus 20.

  The communication unit 13 communicates with the image forming apparatus 20 under the control of the control unit 11. The operation unit 14 includes a mouse that accepts a click operation and a plurality of keys. When the user operates these mice and keys, the operation unit 14 supplies a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 determines the operation content based on this signal and performs processing. The display unit 15 includes a display body such as a liquid crystal display and a memory such as a video random access memory (VRAM), and displays various images on the liquid crystal display under the control of the control unit 11.

  In the printer driver 121, a user ID and spooler information are set in advance in association with each other. The spooler information is information indicating a storage location for storing print data transmitted from the communication terminal 10. The spooler information includes address information such as an IP address assigned to each image forming apparatus 20 and the name of each image forming apparatus 20. For example, the printer driver 121 has a user ID “user01”, an IP address “192.168.227.101” assigned to the image forming apparatus 20B, and a name “A001” assigned to the image forming apparatus 20B. For example, they are set in association with each other. The spooler information set in the printer driver 121 may be changed by the user using the operation unit 14.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 is configured as a computer having a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a UI (User Interface) unit 24, and an image forming unit 25. Each part is electrically connected by a bus. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU controls each unit connected to the control unit 21 by executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 is a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores, for example, a control program and print data 221. The print data 221 is print data received from the communication terminal 10. The communication unit 23 communicates with the communication terminal 10 and the index server 30 under the control of the control unit 21. The UI unit 24 includes, for example, a touch screen and keys. The UI unit 24 supplies a signal corresponding to a user operation content to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 determines the operation content based on this signal, and executes, for example, a printing process or displays an image on the touch screen. The image forming unit 25 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image according to image data on a sheet.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the print data 221. The print data 221 includes a plurality of items such as “user ID”, “storage date / time”, “file name”, “number of pages”, “number of copies”, “color / monochrome”, “presence / absence of double-sided printing”, and “post-processing”. It consists of items. In addition, the print data 221 may include information. “User ID” is the user ID of the user who has instructed the printing process in the communication terminal. The “storage date / time” is time information indicating the date / time when the print data is stored in the storage unit 22, that is, the date / time when the print data is stored in the image forming apparatus 20. “File name” represents a file name of image data to be printed included in the print data. “Number of pages” represents the number of pages of the file to be printed. “Number of copies” represents the number of copies to be printed. “Color / monochrome distinction” represents a distinction between color printing and monochrome printing. “Presence / absence of double-sided printing” represents a distinction between double-sided printing and single-sided printing. “Post-processing” represents post-processing that is performed on a sheet that has been printed. In addition, the print data includes the image data itself to be printed whose file name is represented by “file name”. FIG. 4 illustrates the contents of the print data 221 stored in the storage unit 22B of the image forming apparatus 20B, and three pieces of print data for the user ID “USER01” are stored in the image forming apparatus 20B. Represents that.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the index server 30. The index server 30 is configured as a computer having a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. Each part is electrically connected by a bus. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU controls each unit connected to the control unit 31 by executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 32. The communication unit 33 communicates with the image forming apparatus 20 under the control of the control unit 31. The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores, for example, a control program and index data 321.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the index data 321. The index data 321 includes a plurality of items such as a user ID, a storage destination IP address, and a storage destination name. The user ID is as described above. The storage destination IP address is an IP address assigned to the image forming apparatus 20 having a storage location for print data transmitted from the communication terminal 10 by a user operation. The storage destination name is a name assigned to the image forming apparatus 20. In the index data 321, a plurality of users are described in a state in which user IDs, storage destination IP addresses, and storage destination names are associated with each other. The storage destination IP address and storage destination name associated with a certain user ID are the same as the spooler information set in the printer driver 121 stored in the storage unit 12 of the communication terminal 10 operated by the user with this user ID. It is contents to do.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming system 100. In FIG. 7, reference numerals of image forming apparatuses 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B are used to represent two different image forming apparatuses 20, but each is not limited to a specific image forming apparatus 20. The storage unit 22A is an example of a storage unit that stores user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image in association with each other. The reception unit 211 realized by the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A cooperating with the UI unit 24A is an example of a reception unit that receives input of user identification information of any user. When the first acquisition unit 212 realized by the control unit 21A stores image data associated with the user identification information received by the receiving unit in the storage unit 22A included in the own device. This is an example of first acquisition means for acquiring the image data from the storage unit 22A. The second acquisition unit 213 realized by the control unit 21A associates with the user identification information received by the reception unit when the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit. It is an example of the 2nd acquisition means which acquires the image data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 22B with which the image forming apparatus 20B is provided. The image forming unit 25A is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image data acquired by the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit. The output unit 214 realized by the control unit 21A outputs the image data acquired by the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit to the image forming unit 25A that forms an image corresponding to the image data. It is an example.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the image forming system 100. In the following description of FIG. 8, “user” refers to a user having a user ID of “User01”. First, when a user instructs printing using the communication terminal 10, the control unit 11 of the communication terminal 10 uses the communication unit 13 to display the image forming apparatus 20 indicated by the spooler information set in the printer driver 121. In response to this, print data based on the above instruction is transmitted (step S1). Here, it is assumed that the transmission destination is the image forming apparatus 20B. In response to this, the control unit 21B of the image forming apparatus 20B stores the received print data as the print data 221 in the storage unit 22B, that is, stores it (step S2). Then, the control unit 21B transmits a set of the user ID included in the received print data, the IP address assigned to the own device, and the name assigned to the own device to the index server 30 using the communication unit 23. (Step S3). And the control part 31 of the index server 30 updates the index data 321 based on the received content (step S4). Specifically, in step S4, the control unit 31 includes, in the index data 321, the storage destination IP address and the storage destination name associated with the user ID included in the received content, the IP address included in the received content, If it is different from the device name, the storage destination IP address and the storage destination name of the index data 321 are updated according to the received contents.

  Next, it is assumed that the user moves from a position where the communication terminal 10 is located to a position where the image forming apparatus 20A is located, and tries to execute printing based on the print data using the image forming apparatus 20A. The user performs user authentication for the image forming apparatus 20A by inputting the user ID and password using the UI unit 24 (step S5). When the user authentication is completed, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A determines whether the print data of the authenticated user is stored in the own apparatus (step S6). Specifically, in step S6, the control unit 21A determines whether print data including the user ID authenticated in step S5 is stored in the storage unit 22A. When the print data 221 of the authenticated user is stored in the own apparatus (step S6; YES), the control unit 21A displays a list listing the print data 221 on the touch screen using the UI unit 24A. (Step S7).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of print data 221 displayed on the touch screen of the image forming apparatus 20A. The example of FIG. 9 represents a case where two pieces of print data 221 associated with the user ID of the authenticated user are stored in the storage unit 22A of the image forming apparatus 20A. The user uses the UI unit 24A to check a check box 241 of print data desired to be printed. The print target box 242 displays the name of the image forming apparatus 20 in which the displayed print data is stored. In the example of FIG. 9, it is shown that the image forming apparatus 20A being operated by the user stores the displayed print data. The print target box 242 is in a pull-down format. In the list displayed in the pull-down format, in addition to the name of the own device, for example, the storage destination name associated with the user ID of the authenticated user in the index data 321 is displayed. The user can select a desired image forming apparatus 20 from this list using the UI unit 24A. The control unit 21A causes the touch screen to display print data associated with the user ID of the user in the storage unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 selected in the print target box 242.

  When the user presses the all selection button 243 using the UI unit 24A, the control unit 21A displays all the check boxes 241 in a checked state. When the user designates certain print data using the UI unit 24A and presses the delete button 244, the control unit 21A deletes the designated print data from the storage unit 22A. When the user presses the print button 245 using the UI unit 24A, the control unit 21A performs printing for the print data in which the check box 241 is checked.

  Returning to FIG. After step S7, when the user checks the check box 241 of the print data desired to be printed using the UI unit 24A, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A selects the print data as a print target. (Step S8). Then, the control unit 21A executes printing based on the selected print data using the image forming unit 25A (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the print data 221 of the authenticated user is not stored in the own apparatus (step S6; NO), the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A uses the communication unit 23A as a key for the user ID of the user. The search instruction is transmitted to the index server 30 (step S10). In response to this, the control unit 31 of the index server 30 searches the index data 321 using the received user ID as a key, and acquires the storage destination IP address and storage destination name associated with the user ID (step S11). . Here, since the user ID is “User01”, the control unit 31 acquires “192.168.227.101” as the storage destination IP address and “A001” as the storage destination name (see FIG. 6). Then, using the communication unit 33, the control unit 31 transmits the acquired user ID, storage destination IP address, and storage destination name to the image forming apparatus 20A (step S12).

  In response to this, the control unit 21A uses the communication unit 23A to transmit an instruction to search for print data using the user ID of the authenticated user as a key to the image forming apparatus 20B indicated by the received storage destination IP address. (Step S13). In response to this, the control unit 21B of the image forming apparatus 20B searches the print data 221 in the storage unit 22B using the received user ID as a key, and obtains print data associated with the user ID (step S14). . Then, the control unit 21B transmits the received user ID and the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20A using the communication unit 23B (step S15). The control unit 21A displays a list of print data received using the communication unit 23A on the touch screen using the UI unit 24A (step S16).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of print data displayed on the image forming apparatus 20A. The example of FIG. 10 represents a case where three pieces of print data 221 associated with the user ID of the authenticated user are stored in the image forming apparatus 20B.

  Returning again to FIG. After step S15, when the user checks the check box 241 of the print data desired to be printed using the UI unit 14, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20A selects the print data as a print target. (Step S17). Then, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20A uses the image forming unit 25 to perform printing based on the selected print data (step S18).

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 does not perform this operation on the other image forming apparatuses 20 until the user print data is stored in the storage unit 22 of the own apparatus. An instruction to search whether the user's print data is stored is transmitted. That is, the control unit 21 does not transmit a search instruction to the other image forming apparatuses 20 when the print data of the user is stored in the storage unit 22 of the own apparatus. In general, it is considered that the user often performs output using the image forming apparatus 20 set as spooler information in the printer driver 121. This is because the image forming apparatus 20 that is normally used by the user is set in the spooler information as the storage location of the print data. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 closest to the user's own seat is set in the spooler information. Is done. The image forming apparatus 20 at this time is, for example, an image forming apparatus 20B. Since spooler information is set in the printer driver 121, user print data is stored in the storage unit 22B of the image forming apparatus 20B. In other words, in such a case, when the user outputs print data using the image forming apparatus 20B, the search for the other image forming apparatus 20 is not executed, and accordingly, the time required from the start to the end of printing is correspondingly increased. Will be shortened only. Further, even when the user's print data is not stored in the storage unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 being operated by the user, the user's operation is not required, and the image forming apparatus 20 being operated is not required. Since the control unit 21 acquires the print data from the other image forming apparatus 20, it does not take time for the operation by the user.

  Further, when the user's print data is stored in the storage unit 22 of the own apparatus, the control unit 21 does not need to acquire the print data from the other image forming apparatus 20 using the communication unit 23. Even if a problem occurs and communication is impossible, printing is performed without any problem. Therefore, in this case, since printing is performed without solving the network problem, no time is required for waiting for the problem to be solved. Since the storage unit 32 of the index server 30 stores the index data 321, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 stores the print data in the storage unit 22 in association with the user ID of the authenticated user. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the effort required to identify another image forming apparatus 20 that is highly likely to be detected. In addition, since information for identifying such other image forming apparatuses 20 is centrally managed as the index data 321, the image forming apparatus 20 does not require resources for such management.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the user print data stored in the storage unit of another image forming apparatus is acquired only when the user print data is not stored in the storage unit of the own apparatus. Compared to the case where the configuration is not provided, the time required to form an image when an image specified by the user is formed by any of the plurality of image forming devices connected to the network. Shortened.

<Modification>
The above embodiment can be modified as follows. Note that the following modifications may be implemented in combination as appropriate.
(Modification 1)
The image forming apparatus 20 storing the print data displayed as a list may be determined by the user directly specifying the IP address of the specific image forming apparatus 20. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 being operated by the user is the image forming apparatus 20A. In this case, the user inputs the desired IP address of the image forming apparatus 20 into the input box displayed on the touch screen using the UI unit 24A. For example, the user inputs “192.168.227.102” as the IP address using the UI unit 24A. As shown in FIG. 6, the name of the image forming apparatus 20 to which this IP address is assigned is “A002”. Then, the user uses the UI unit 24A to press a button for instructing designation of an IP address.

  In response to this, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A uses the communication unit 23A to display an instruction to search for print data using the user ID of the user who is operating as a key. Send to. The control unit 21C of the image forming apparatus 20C searches the print data 221 using the received user ID as a key, and acquires the print data associated with the user ID. The control unit 21C transmits a list representing the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20A using the communication unit 23C. The control unit 21A displays the print data list on the touch screen using the UI unit 24A.

  According to the first modification, when the user directly designates the image forming apparatus 20 storing the print data desired by the user, for example, there is a problem in the index server 30 and the print data cannot be searched. Even so, print data is acquired and printing is performed.

(Modification 2)
A method for acquiring a list of print data stored in an image forming apparatus 20 different from the image forming apparatus 20 being operated by the user is not limited to the method using the index server 30 as in the embodiment, and is as follows. May be. For example, consider a case where a user with a user ID “User01” operates the image forming apparatus 20A. In this case, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A uses the user ID “User01” as a key to the other image forming apparatus 20 that can communicate, for example, within the subnet mask at the timing of step S10 illustrated in FIG. Broadcasts instructions to search for print data. When receiving a response to this, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A displays the received print data list on the touch screen.

  Here, when there is a response from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A preferentially displays a list including print data having the latest storage date and time on the touch screen. The reason why the list including the print data having the latest storage date / time is preferentially displayed on the touch screen is that the newer the storage date / time, the longer the time elapsed since the user instructed printing using the communication terminal 10. This is because there is a high possibility that printing will be performed shortly, that is, most recently. At this time, the names of other image forming apparatuses 20 that are not the transmission source of this list are displayed in the pull-down list in the print target box 242. When there is a response from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20, the control unit 21A of the image forming apparatus 20A may display all the print data lists received as a result of the response on the touch screen. The range of other image forming apparatuses 20 that are broadcast destinations is not limited to that within the subnet mask, but may be determined in advance by the user.

  According to the second modification, since the index server 30 is not required, the configuration of the image forming system 10 is simpler than that of the embodiment, that is, the image forming apparatus among the apparatuses constituting the image forming system 100. The number of devices other than 20 can be reduced.

(Modification 3)
The list of print data displayed on the touch screen is not limited to that stored in the single image forming apparatus 20, and print data stored in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 may be displayed as a list. For example, print data associated with the user ID “User01” is stored in both the image forming apparatus 20A being operated by the user with the user ID “User01” and the image forming apparatus 20B not being operated by the user. Think if you are. In this case, for example, a display button for displaying the print data stored in the self apparatus and the other image forming apparatus 20 together is displayed above the print target box 242 shown in FIG. Then, after step S7 in FIG. 6, when the user presses this display button using the UI unit 24A, the control unit 21A performs the same processing as in steps S10 to S15. As a result, the control unit 21A displays the print data list stored in its own apparatus and the received print data list together on the touch screen. And the process after step S8 is performed.

  Since the third modification is an operation when print data associated with the user ID of the authenticated user is stored in the own apparatus, if such print data is to be printed, the user When performing printing based on print data using the image forming apparatus 20A, no extra time is required from the start to the end of printing. On the other hand, in the third modification, when print data associated with the user ID of the authenticated user is distributed and stored in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 including the self apparatus, Since the associated print data are displayed together as a list, the user does not need to confirm each item individually.

(Modification 4)
The present invention can also be specified as a program for causing a computer to function as a control device. Such a program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disc, or may be provided in a form such that the program is downloaded to a computer via a communication line such as the Internet, and is installed and used. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Communication terminal 11, 21, 31 ... Control part, 12, 22, 32 ... Storage part, 13, 23, 33 ... Communication part, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... Display part, 20A, 20B, 20C ... Image formation Device: 24 UI unit 25 Image forming unit 30 Index server 100 Image forming system 121 Printer driver 221 Print data 241 Check box 242 Print target box 243 All select button 244 ... delete button, 245 ... print button, 321 ... index data, NW ... network

Claims (5)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses for forming images;
Each of the image forming apparatuses
Storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image in association with each other;
Accepting means for accepting input of the user identification information of any user;
When the image data associated with the user identification information received by the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit included in the own apparatus, the first image data is acquired from the storage unit. Acquisition means;
In a case where the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit, the storage unit provided in another image forming apparatus different from the self apparatus in association with the user identification information received by the reception unit Second acquisition means for acquiring image data stored in
An image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image data acquired by the first acquiring unit or the second acquiring unit. A management apparatus having identification information storage means for storing apparatus identification information for identifying each of the image forming apparatuses and the user identification information in association with each other;
The second acquisition means includes
If the image data could not be acquired by the first acquisition means, the device identification information stored in the identification information storage means in association with the user identification information received by the reception means is specified. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring image data stored in association with the user identification information in the storage unit included in the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information. system. The second acquisition means includes
When image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit, the image data is stored in association with the user identification information received by the reception unit for an image forming apparatus other than the apparatus itself. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein image data is requested, and image data transmitted from an image forming apparatus other than the self apparatus is acquired in response to the request. Storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image in association with each other;
Accepting means for accepting input of the user identification information of any user;
When the image data associated with the user identification information received by the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit included in the own apparatus, the first image data is acquired from the storage unit. Acquisition means;
In a case where the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit, the storage unit provided in another image forming apparatus different from the self apparatus in association with the user identification information received by the reception unit Second acquisition means for acquiring image data stored in
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image data acquired by the first acquiring unit or the second acquiring unit. Computer
Storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and image data representing an image in association with each other;
Accepting means for accepting input of the user identification information of any user;
When the image data associated with the user identification information received by the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit included in the own apparatus, the first image data is acquired from the storage unit. Acquisition means;
In a case where the image data cannot be acquired by the first acquisition unit, the storage unit provided in another image forming apparatus different from the self apparatus in association with the user identification information received by the reception unit Second acquisition means for acquiring image data stored in
A program for causing image data acquired by the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit to function as an output unit that outputs to an image forming unit that forms an image corresponding to the image data.

Images